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How to clear upper lip melasma? (photo)

I have melasma on my upper lip and can't seem to exfoiliate it away or get rid of it, tried IPL it helped but didn't complete, also my face doesn't go in the sun. Only fake tan if I need colour and even that shows up the "moustache" really bringing me down dealing with this, ANY treatment with proven results please advise. I'm devastated by this, it's so ugly and unfeminine... thank you so much

Doctor Answers 6

August 4th, 2017

Melasma treatment for upper lip

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I recommend that you apply the appropriate creams to the entire face. 

Cysteamine is a strong agent and may cause hypopigmentation especially in daark skin.

Melasma treatments are lifelong and should be tailored for each patient.

Melarase is a great regimen to add or a Brightening Kit in its entirety.

I also recommend that you add one of two of these oral supplements for pigmentary control: Scler-X PIH Relief Complex from VenaSmart or Pigmentation Correction Complex from KareSkin.

You will need wide spectrum UV protection with SPF 30+ sunblock as well. 

H Karamanoukian MD FACS

Learn more: https://venasmart.com/products/melarase-am

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
April 23rd, 2017

Melarase creams and Clear and Brilliant laser

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Start with Melarase AM and Melarase PM creams followed by Clear and Brilliant laser to help with the pigmentation on the upper lip.

Best, 

Dr. Karamanoukian

Los Angeles

Learn more: https://kareskin.com/products/brightening-regimen

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 95 reviews

February 19th, 2017

The Picosure laser is the best for melasma and hyper pigmentation

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the pico laser is a new and expensive laser that can do a great job in greatly improving and even getting rid of your hyper-pigmentation. What makes it so special is that it is 1000 times faster than any other laser.  - this means there is very, very little redness. you can treat your face, neck, declotte, hands and arms. 

david berman md

Learn more: http://www.bermancosmeticsurgery.com/procedure/picosure/

David E. Berman, MD

David E. Berman, MD
Sterling Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 124 reviews

January 10th, 2017

Treating melasma

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One of my favorite treatment options for melasma is Cosmelan.  It is a treatment regimen that uses Hydroquinone and Retin A to target this stubborn pigment.  An in office evaluation is best to create a patient specific treatment regimen for your particular melasma.

Best of luck

David Stoker, MD

David Stoker, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 62 reviews

November 29th, 2016

Melasma treatment

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I would recommend consulting a dermatologist and doing a chemical peeling with glycolic acid. It is normally a good treatment for melasma, multiple sessions may be necessary . Good luck.

Joseph Doumit, MD
Montreal Dermatologist

November 27th, 2016

Treatment options for melasma

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Melasma can not be completely cured, however effective treatment are possible. This is because your skin is extremely sensitive to UV and even the smallest amount can stimulate your pigment cells to produce colour. The mainstay of treatment is strict UV protection- hats, sunglasses and SPF every 4 hours.

I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams. I usually start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) a few weeks after they commence on creams. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the Permea setting combined with creams.

In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help. Melasma treatments should be tailored to each patient.

All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia 

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.